By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

The Philippines national football team, the Azkals, opened the third qualifying round for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup with a 4-1 win over the Nepal national football team, earlier this week at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
The Azkals had an early opportunity after Nepalese midfielder Bikram Lama was ejected from the game in the 13th minute for a handball. However, the penalty attempt by Azkals forward Phil Younghusband was denied by goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong.
Another penalty opportunity came in the 21st minute, which Younghusband successfully converted. He returned to the goal a couple minutes later and doubled the Azkals’ lead to 2-0, following a pass from striker Mike Ott.
In the 27th minute, Ceres-Negros FC midfielder Iain Ramsay made it 3-0.
Just before the break, in extra time, Nepal midfielder Bishal Rai pulled one back for the visitors.
The Philippines went into halftime up, 3-1.
It was not until the 73rd minute that forward Javier Patiño added a fourth goal for the Philippines.
The next qualification match in the Philippines will take place on September 5, at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City. The Philippines will face Yemen, who defeated Tajikistan in their match, 2-1.
Azkals coach Thomas Dooley told Watchmen Daily Journal he cannot wait to come down to the City of Smiles and play./WDJ